Lorraine Lafrenière - Chief Executive Officer 613.235.5000 x 2363

Lorraine is a strategic thinker with excellent people skills and an enthusiastic approach to challenges who has played a leadership role in the sport community for many years.

Her passion for sport goes back decades to when she saw the incredibly powerful role athletes play in inspiring younger generations to stay active and healthy while making a contribution to society. She began her sport career with the Canadian Intramural Recreation Association 25 years ago before moving to the Canadian Olympic Committee in 1989. During her tenure as the COC’s Media Relations Manager, she held several leadership positions with the mission staff at numerous Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and World Championships.

In 2002 she was appointed Chief Operating Officer for the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), a position she held for four years -- playing a key role in establishing sponsorship programs and strengthening the organization’s relationships with the provinces/territories and federal government. Following the CAC, she went on to head the Canadian Cycling Association where she restructured the organization and instilled financial stability. In 2009, she was hired as Director General of CanoeKayak Canada where she was instrumental in creating the teams and environment which led to CanoeKayak’s three-medal performance at the 2012 Olympic Game. In total, she has participated in 9 Olympic Games, both summer and winter.

Lorraine also has a strong volunteer commitment having sat on the boards and committees of many organizations, including the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Cancer Society (Ottawa-Carleton), Run for the Cure, Big Sisters of Ottawa, and Ottawa-Carleton Epilepsy. She was also the co-chair of the 2004 Ontario Summer Games held in Ottawa and was named twice to the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity’s (CAAWS) Most Influential Women List in 2015 and 2014.

Lorraine became the Chief Executive Officer of the CAC in December 2013.

Keira Torkko - Chief Operating Officer 613.235.5000 x 2365

Keira joined the CAC after twenty years in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Most recently, as Director General, Business Management Support at National Research Council Canada, she was responsible for business development and operations and has managed teams of up to 200 research and technology development professionals. She has a deep commitment to volunteerism and has sat on the Board of Volunteer Ottawa for six years. Keira, a CPA, CGA, holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria and brings her unique combination of business, technology, and financial knowledge to the Chief Operating Officer role where she plays an integral part in shaping the organization’s strategic vision while optimizing its resources to achieve its operational goals and objectives. Keira has a love for cycling and basketball, passions she loves sharing with her two boys who have grown up with an equal passion for sports of all kind.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: While travelling by ferry to attend the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, my son and I were preparing to disembark from the lower car deck with one thousand other walk-on passengers. When the doors opened upon arrival to Horseshoe Bay, a couple fellow passengers began singing ‘O Canada’ and soon hundreds had joined in. It was an amazing moment to witness and share in the national pride many Canadians felt with the Olympics on home turf.

Sporting Heroes: Steve Nash

Favourite Coaching Quote: “You get the best effort from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within.” – Bob Nelson

EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS TEAM

Peter Niedre – Director, Education Partnerships 613.235.5000 x 2379

Before coming to the CAC, Peter worked at Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) for 10 years, first as the National Junior and U23 coach from 2006 – 2008, and more recently, as Director of Coach and Athlete Development, where he led CKC’s coaching education and athlete development programs. He also served as high performance director in 2012. He holds a Masters in Human Kinetics specializing in Exercise Physiology, a Bachelor in Human Kinetics, and a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education from the University of Ottawa. He is also a Master Coach Developer, Learning Facilitator and Evaluator in Competition Development, Competition Introduction, and Community Sport for Sprint Canoe Kayak; and a Master Coach Developer for Core Learning Facilitator and Evaluator training. While sprint canoe kayak has been his main sport as a coach, he also volunteer coaches at the community level, and is an NCCP coach in soccer and cross country skiing. Peter enjoys sharing his love for sport with anyone, and is often seen running on the canal in Ottawa, a trail or country road.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Competing in the Southern Traverse Adventure Race in the mountains of New Zealand’s South Island; and my first time as head coach for Team Canada at the 2007 Junior World Championships in Racice, Czech Republic.

Isabelle has always loved and been involved in sport. When she was completing her university degrees at the University of Ottawa, she started teaching skating and working with the City of Ottawa in sport administration, and continued with a Competitive Coaching Programs Manager position at Skate Canada and now with CAC. She has been involved in sport for over 30 years as an athlete, coach, and administrator with 15 years of experience at the national level of sport in Canada.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Watching Joannie Rochette compete and win an Olympic bronze medal after the sudden death of her mother. Her coach, Manon Perron, was so amazing and was an integral part of her win! No one should underestimate the power of the athlete-coach relationship!

Sporting Hero: Clara Hughes

Favourite Coaching Quote:“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce and International Relations at Mount Allison University, and a Bachelor of Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education – University of Toronto, Neale taught high school and middle school for seven years in Oakville and Toronto. A former competitive rugby and cricket player, Neale is now an NCCP alpine ski and rugby coach, multi-sport Learning Facilitator, and a rugby Learning Facilitator and Evaluator.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Coaching a rugby tour to South Africa with a school team and experiencing watching the boys learn about the game, the culture, the history, and themselves.

Sporting Heroes: Terry Fox, Clive Woodward

Favourite Coaching Quote: "Calling yourself a coach — and I take great pride in being able to do that — means being prepared and being organized. Your number one responsibility to those children is to grow their love of the game and you do that by treating them properly, creating a demanding, supportive atmosphere that allows for individual growth. Anyone who says ‘I’m just a volunteer coach’ should not be coaching. Just because you’re a volunteer doesn’t give you the right to be unorganized and unprepared and unprofessional.” – Mike Babcock

A former competitive karate athlete who was a part of the team that won a gold medal in sparring at the 1990 Traditional Karate World Championships, Gérard went on to be a national karate team coach, and helped Karate Canada develop their Long-term Athlete Development, Instruction – Beginners, Comp-Int and Comp-Dev NCCP programs. Gérard also worked for many years as a strength and conditioning expert with a number of high-level athletes in a wide variety of sports. He has a kinesiology degree from Sherbrooke University and is a graduate of the National Coaching Institute (Montreal).

Originally from Ottawa, Laura lives in Vancouver, BC. She is a Master Coach Developer, Level 3 and Comp–Dev certified, having coached from grassroots to international level. She has been a member of Team BC, coaching at BC Games and as Mission Staff for Canada Games. Previously she was the Director of Sport for viaSport and the Executive Director and Technical Director for the Coaches Association of BC. A graduate of the Executive Education program at the Sauder School of Business, Laura also has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Kinetics and is completing a Masters Degree in "High Performance Coaching and Technical Leadership” at UBC. She enjoys running, paddle-boarding, camping and the outdoors, and completed her “Wine & Spirit Education Trust” (WSET) Level 2. Laura is on the BC Games Board of Directors and is President of her Strata Council in Port Moody, BC.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Being part of the team that won the Claude Harvey Award for Best Mission Staff at the 2013 Canada Summer Games.

Sporting Heroes: John Furlong and John Wooden

Favourite Coaching Quote: “The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” – Steve Young

Claudia has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Communications from Queen’s University, and a Diploma in Corporate Communications & Public Relations from Fanshawe College. She started her career as the Communications Assistant for Rogers Television in Ottawa helping to promote the community station and working with some great sponsors and community groups. After four years, she brought her skills and talents to the non-profit sector and started working at the CAC, where she has had nothing but continuous exciting challenges including working on coach recognition programs, sponsorship grant programs, the sport nutrition program, and eLearning product development.

Most Memorable Sporting Experience: Placing second in an open cross-country running meet with over 200 female participants.

Favourite Coaching Quote: “Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

An Aboriginal of Métis descent (Ojibway), Anthony is a graduate of the Sport Administration program at Durham College, and is a coach of grassroots hockey, baseball, and soccer. He is a former Community sport leader with the Métis Nation of Ontario, and Manager of the National Aboriginal Coaching and Leadership program with the Aboriginal Sport Circle.

Wayne joined the CAC in April 2014. He is a former Women’s Baseball National Team coach, a graduate of the NCI-Ontario, and an NCCP MLF in baseball, hockey, and multi-sport. Wayne wakes up every day thankful to be able to say that he works in sport, especially coaching. Before joining Coaches of Canada, Wayne was the president of a publishing supply company.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Pulling on a Team Canada jersey for the first time and coaching in an international competition.

Born and raised in Montreal, Jacqueline completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Leisure Science at Concordia University while also gathering work experience in the athletics department at Concordia University and Dawson College. She has played and coached skiing, soccer, and rugby at a variety of levels.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Listening to the Canadian National Anthem before playing against France while on tour with the National Senior Women’s Rugby Team in November 2013.

Sporting Hero: Larry Tittley, CFL Offensive Lineman (Her dad!)

Favourite Coaching Quote: “Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become, and the hours of practice, and the coaches who have pushed you, is the little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back…play for her.” - Mia Hamm

PROFESSIONAL COACHING TEAM

Shelley comes to the CAC after working extensively in sport at the provincial, national and international level as a professional coach, program builder, mento

r, sport administrator, and volunteer. Following a coaching career in the Canadian universities and colleges, she completed a graduate program in human resource management and a certificate in social and emotional training. Shelley has been recognized with a Breakthrough Award for her leadership work from the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) and with the Hal Lewis Award from Hockey Canada.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Representing Canada as a coach at the 2009 World University Games in Harbin, China - the inaugural event for female hockey.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

Growing up in Ottawa, Natalie was immersed in sport. After studying and playing rugby at St. Francis Xavier University, Natalie began her career with organizing committees for multi-sport Games in Brandon (Canada Games), Sydney (Olympic and Paralympic Games) and Manchester (Commonwealth Games) in the roles of communications, sport services, and venue operations, respectively. She joined the CAC in May 2014 after a decade working in the performing arts industry, most recently as the Senior Marketing Manager for the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Being blown away by the inspirational runners crossing the finish line of the inaugural International BlueNose Marathon in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Honoured to have shared in their personal successes, and personally proud to have been part of the team that brought the BlueNose to life. Just Giv’er!

Sporting Heroes:Stevie Nash, Paula Radcliffe, Martina Navratilova

Favourite Coaching Quote: “Change is risky. There is no question about it. It is not as risky, however, as standing still or being overcautious. You can't steal second base with your foot still on first.” - Pat Summitt

Michel Hachey - Manager, Communications 613.235.5000 x 2382

Michel joined the CAC after a number of years in the public and private sectors. He brings expertise in media relations and member engagement to the CAC where he is principally responsible for engaging coaches using the many resources and programs offered by the CAC and its partner organizations.

Michel grew up in New Brunswick and earned a degree in marketing and his MBA at the Université de Moncton. True to his maritime blood, he brings a work-hard, play-hard mentality to the office and when he’s not tweeting about the latest coaching news, you’ll find him on the ball diamond or the hockey rink.

Most Memorable Sport Experience:Joe Carter’s game 6 walk-off home run to win the World Series in 1993, hockey gold medal game at the Salt Lake Olympics, and being in attendance for Gretzky's last game at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Vacant - Coordinator, Communications

Shannon Hall - Coordinator, Events 613.235.5000 x2353

Born and raised in Waterloo, Shannon attended the University of Waterloo and completed her BA in Recreation and Sport Business. After graduation, she moved to Ottawa to pursue a career in sport, and has since worked for the Ottawa Sport & Social Club and the City of Ottawa. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in event management, customer service, and marketing and communications. When Shannon isn’t working, she can be found on the volleyball court or volunteering at a local retirement home.

Most memorable sport experience: Seeing her sister get back on the ice after a year-long battle with Chronic Regional Pain Disorder (CRPS).

Brad Welock - Coordinator, Marketing 613.235.5000 x 2388

Hockey, mountain biking, and baseball were Brad’s go-to sports as a kid. He played Junior B hockey in BC’s Kootenay region, working his way to a berth in the 2001 KIJHL Junior B Championship. After completing a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2006 at UBC Okanagan, Brad set his sights on a post-graduate certificate in Sport Business which he completed in 2010 at Durham College. Following a four-year stint at the Bell Sensplex facility in Ottawa where Brad orchestrated youth and adult hockey leagues and camps, he joined the CAC team in 2015.

Asya Bartley - Coordinator, Marketing 613.235.5000 x 2358

Asya Bartley graduated from St. Francis Xavier University and played on the women’s rugby team winning two national championships in 2010 and 2012. She also played rugby for the senior Ontario team and the National Senior Women’s rugby team. Asya completed a post-graduate degree in Sport & Event Marketing while working at Skate Canada as a part of their marketing team. She joined the CAC after working as an Events Assistant, at the University of Toronto, managing event logistics and game day operations.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Playing for the National Senior Women Rugby Team in 2014.

Sporting Hero: Serena William

Favourite Coaching Quote: Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.” -Will Rogers

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TEAM

David Allard - Director, Projects and Technology 613.235.5000 x 2390

Born in Montreal, David started his sporting career at the outdoor pools in the West Island, where he was exposed to swimming, water polo, and diving. After twenty years of competitive swimming at the provincial and national levels, David moved on to other pursuits, and is currently pursuing a third-degree black belt in karate. David holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Computer Science from McGill University, and an MBA from Concordia University, reflecting his passion for facilitating interaction between technical and non-technical teams. David was most recently the Director of IRE at the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, where he was responsible for the association’s IT support and products. David is passionate about all things IT and loves a good challenge, whether it is solving a problem, playing a board game, or learning new skills in a sport.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Winning gold in the Men’s 200m individual medley at the 2000 CIS National Swimming Championships on the last day of competition.

Sporting Hero: Mark Tewksbury

Favourite coaching quote: "Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda

Darren Larose – Senior Systems Analyst

Darren is one of the brains behind the development of The Locker. When asked what he does, he told us: “for(int i = 0; i < insanity; i++) { code.Write(); }.” We won’t try to decode that, but if you enjoy the nice clean look of the Locker, then you have Darren to thank!

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Grade 7 standing long jump second place :(

Sporting Hero: Masahiko Kimura

Favourite Coaching Quote: If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball." – Patches O’Houlihan, DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story

Jeff Mees – Lead, Technology Platforms

With over fifteen years experience in enterprise system development, tackling decades worth of sports data seemed like an interesting new challenge to Jeff. A devotee of kitesurfing and mountain biking, Jeff has put his years of software development to good use helping to build our new NCCP database – The Locker.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Watching his daughter win third place at the provincial championships in her first year of competitive riding.

Sporting Hero: Rodney Mullen

Favourite Coaching Quote: “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” – Lou Holtz

Jean-Christophe Charbonneau – Software Developer

Coordinator, Information Technology - Vacant

COACH AND PARTNER SERVICES TEAM

Chris started playing soccer when he lived in England and played consistently for 30 years. He stopped playing when it ceased being fun and got involved in coaching as a way to keep his kids involved in sport and to continue to play a role in the game he loves. A political science graduate with a focus in Soviet and East European Studies, Chris has also been a soccer referee for six years as he says it makes him a better coach.

Most Memorable Sport Experience: Playing cricket on the beach in Nevis with the locals and showing them that this tourist got game AND coaching his U-15 girls team to the house league futsal title.

Sporting Hero: Neville Southall – Goalkeeper Everton FC

Favourite Coaching Quote: Not a quote but a coaching concept – winning doesn’t matter when you played to the best of your abilities.

Jennifer White - Coach & Partner Services613.235.5000 x 1

Most memorable Sport Experience: Attending the 2012 women’s World Hockey Championship gold medal game, where Canada won the title back from the USA with an overtime win.

As captain of University of Ottawa Gee-Gee’s women’s hockey team and recipient of the 2016-2017 RSEQ Leadership & Citizenship Award, Vickie joins the CAC with a wealth of sport insight. Previous to the CAC, she completed an internship with CAAWS and graduated with of Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa. Vickie plans include coaching girls’ hockey, while sharing her passion for the sport.

Sporting moment: To put on a team Canada jersey for the first time at the U-18, 3 game series vs. the U.S.A. in Rockland, Ont. Also winning Gold at the 2009 Jeux du Québec.

Sporting heroes: All female athletes, breaking barriers.

Favourite coaching quote: “Not every victory shows up on the scoreboard.” – Unknown

A graduate of the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Martial is currently finishing a certificate in business at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. Heavily involved in competitive ultimate, Martial currently plays with local Ottawa teams and coaches both a local high school team and a junior team during the summer.

Most Memorable Sport Experience:In 2010, he and two friends created the first men’s ultimate team for Université du Québec en Outaouais and participated at the Canadian University Ultimate Championship.

Sporting Heroes:The ones that are told they’re too short to succeed.

Favourite Coaching Quote: “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter

Nevan grew up in the arenas around Ottawa playing both competitive hockey and box lacrosse. After graduating from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Commerce (finance) degree he decided to pursue his passion for sports and completed a Graduate Certificate in Sports Business Management at Algonquin College. Nevan brings with him experience working at the community and national level with hockey, lacrosse, figure skating, and ultimate Frisbee organizations. Today Nevan continues to play box lacrosse, is an avid crossfitter, and will try any new sport.

Most memorable Sport Experience:Being a part of the crowd cheering on the Canadian team at the World Juniors in 2009.

Erica Bergman - Coordinator, Finance 613.235.5000 x 2374

Erica has been actively coaching synchronized swimming since 1994, and has coached at the recreational, provincial, and national level. She is currently the recreational coordinator for Gloucester Synchro where she is also coaching a provincial ages 13-15 team, and a University-level duet. She has a Bachelor of Commerce – Honours Finance from the University of Ottawa and is currently pursuing her CPA designation.

Most Memorable Sport Experience:Watching my children play sports, and seeing them give 100%.

Favourite Coaching Quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." – Aristotle